AMMANFORD’s strong finish to the 2022 season continued with an emphatic 137 run victory over Clydach at the Park.
Despite losing a wicket without a run on the board, Ammanford’s in-form top order of Kurtis Marsh, Xavier Clarke and Daniel Roberts once again showed the fire power which, with a better start to the season, could have made them championship contenders.
Marsh (54) was dominant in a second wicket stand which eased Ammanford past the half century mark inside the half hour, but the match-winning partnership of 138 was between Xavier Clarke (82) and Dan Roberts (79).
Josef Davies helped out with an aggressive, unbeaten 36 which enabled Ammanford to close on a polished 290 for 5.
Jack Todd and Jonathan Hubschmid took a couple of wickets each for Clydach.
A sparkling half century from opener Steff Davies which contained 11 fours, supported by 31 from Rhodri Davies, was the only real highlight of Clydach’s response.
The remainder of the team crumbled to 153 all out inside 32 overs, due mainly to a career-best 6 for 43 from Owen Davies.
This decisive win moved Ammanford into the top half of Premier 1 and effectively relegated Clydach who are 37 points adrift with one match remaining.
Ammanford test themselves against the best next Saturday when they travel to table-topping St Fagans who need a victory to secure the title. Ammanford have never been in better shape to spoil their plans.
On Bank Holiday Sunday, Ammanford meet Neath in the final of the SWCA T20 Knockout Cup. It takes place at Clydach, wickets pitched 3pm. Despite its clash with the cricket club’s Family Fun Day at the Park the same day, Ammanford will be hoping for a good following at Clydach.
Ammanford seconds lose high-scoring match
AMMANFORD seconds lost a high-scoring match by 81 runs at Ynystawe.
Half centuries from Dean Price (53), Rowan Evans (51) and skipper Ceri Durke (70) enabled the home team to post an improbable target of 322 for 8 in their 45 overs.
Fin Jeffries (3-67) and Sion Evans (2-2) were Ammanford’s main wicket takers.
Captain Tomos Roach led Ammanford’s response by example, and his 91 was supported by Llyr Morgan (46) and Iestyn Jones (35), but the visitors’ efforts fell short as they were dismissed for a very respectable 241 inside 42 overs.
